Fuel nozzle spray testing box



Dec. 7, 1965 R. A. HEATH 3,221,546

FUEL NOZZLE SPRAY TESTING BOX Filed NOV. 29, 1963 INVENTOR RICHARD A. HEATH MMM/ A TTORNE Y ff t The invention described herein may bemanufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States ofAmerica for governmental purposes without the payment of any royaltiesthereon or therefor.

This invention relates to test apparatus, and mo-re particularly to suchapparatus for checking the operation of nozzles, such as the fuelnozzles in a jet engine.

In the overhaul and maintenance of jet engines it is necessaryperiodically to check the operation of the fuel nozzles for defects; theclogging of nozzles and associated filters; and generally to check theconguration of the spray pattern emitting from the nozzles.Irregularities in the spray pattern might cause hot spots in thecombustion chamber liner. Faulty nozzles can seriously affect theoperation of the jet engine with possible injury to personnel andequipment.

The fuel nozzles of most jet engines are arranged in clusters, anassembly of clusters being connected to one manifold. In the past, theprocedure for testing the nozzles was to test only one nozzle cluster inthe assembly at a time requiring the capping of all the remainingnozzles in the clusters. The caps snap-tit over the nozzles, and beingmade of plastic were subject to wear. This resulted in constant leakagefrom the nozzles which creates a lire hazard. Furthermore, the spraypattern from the nozzles that were being tested could not be readilyobserved.

Frequently, this method of testing the nozzles requires the entireseparation of the jet engine by removal of the turbine section, toobtain access to the nozzles, a time consuming task if not required forother maintenance work.

The present invention provides a test box which is sealably anddetachably secured to the jet engine at the fuel manifold section.Disassembly of the engine is not required as the test box can beattached from one side of the engine. The back wall of the box hasopenings to receive the jet nozzles which sealably tit therein to permitthe nozzle llow to be discharged directly into the test box. The testiluid can be withdrawn from the test box leliminating a dangerous firecondition that would otherwise exist if the liquid were vented or leakedon the floor. The remaining walls of the box are preferably transparentto permit observation of th'e nozzles when the test iluid is dischargedtherefrom enabling the engine technician to determine the quality ofoperation of each nozzle, and the configuration of the spray patternemitting from the nozzles.

One object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for testing theoperation of a group of jet nozzles.

A further object is to enable the nozzles of a jet engine to be testedwithout requiring complete separation of the jet engine for access tothe nozzles.

Another object is to provide such apparatus for observing the operationof a jet nozzle; and a corollary object is to enable such tests to beconducted in a safe and expedient manner.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the inventionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a manifold assembly section of a l-57 jetengine, looking forward from the engine exhaust end, the turbine sectionhaving been reatet 3,221,546 Patented Dec. 7, 1965 moved for the purposeof showing the novel test spray box attached to the right hand manifoldassembly;

FIG. 2 is a side View taken along line II-II of FIG. l, partially insection, and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the nozzles mounted in the backwall of the test box.

Referring to the drawing where like reference numerals refer to similarparts throughout the ligures ther'e is shown in FIG. 1 a I-57 jet enginelll separated at the fuel manifold section 12 by removal of the turbinesection, not shown, although a-s will be later developed the engine neednot be completely separated to employ the invention apparatus.

Manifold section 12 is the type referred to as a splitmanifold andincludes two arcuate jet fuel manifolds 14 and 16, each manifold havingfour clusters 18 of jet nozzles, each cluster having six nozzles 20. Thetwo arcuate fuel manifolds are arranged in end-toend relation to form acomplete ring within concentric engine casing flange 22 by which theturbine section (not shown) is secured. The fuel ow to the nozzles iscontrolled by a pressurizing and dump valve, not shown. The structurethus far described is conventional in a J-57 jet engine.

The novel fuel nozzle spray testing box of this invention is indicatedat 26. The spray box is semi-annular in configuration to accommodate thefour clusters 18 of jet nozzles in each manifold 14 and 16. As shown inFIG. 1 test box 26 is attached to the right hand manifold 16, replacingthe combustion chamber cover and burner cans not shown, by means ofstraps 28 which ar-e fixed at one end to the test box, the other ends ofthe straps detachably secured to flange 22. It is apparent that othermeans for securing the test box to the manifold section could besubstituted for the straps.

Test box Zo comprises front and rear walls 3l) and 32, concentric sidewalls 34 and 36, respectively, and end Walls 38 and 4U, the walls beingsealably secured together at their abutting ends by screws, adhesive orthe like, Rear wall 32 may be constructed of sheet metal and is providedwith a plurality of openings 42, one for 'each of the 2d nozzles in eachmanifold section. To ensure a liquid tight connection, each opening d2may be provided with a lip 44 to house an O-ring 4.6 which functions asa gasket for sealably engaging the nozzle 2i) when inserted through therespective opening.

Front wall 3l] and side walls 34 and 36 are constructed of transparentmaterial, preferably of a plastic composition to afford visibility ofthe spray pattern 47, although glass could be used if desired. Side wall3d and end walls 3S and 40 can be constructed of opaque material, suchas sheet metal, if desired. End walls 38 and 4t) are each provided witha depressed wall area housing a drain plug d8 and 50, respectively,whereby the test solvent liquid can be drained from the test box. Drainplug El), being at a low point in the test box, is used when the testbox is attach'ed to the right hand manifold assembly 16, as illustrated.When the testing of assembly 16 is completed, and the test box isinverted and installed on the left hand manifold assembly 14, drain plug48 becomes the low point in the test box and is utilized to drain thetest solvent liquid when the test box is in that position.

In the test operation of the nozzle spray patterns, the pressurizing anddump valve, not shown, which normally controls the fuel flow to thenozzles is removed, and an adapter is installed in its place having fourinlet quick disconnects, two for primary How to the manifold and two forsecondary ow to the manifold. The primary iiow to the manifold isconcerned with the starting jet operation, whereas the secondary flow isto supplement the primary flow for main jet engine operation. Test fluidpressure is applied to the nozzles by means of a conventional teststand, which provides p.s.i. fluid pressure for primary ow. After theprimary How is checked, and with the test stand turned off, the teststand is connected to the secondary side of the adapter, and the teststand provides test fluid at p.s.i. The fluid is removed from the testbox 26 through drain plug 5i? without spillage insuring a safeoperation.

After the nozzles on the right hand manifold i6 have thus been checked,test box 26 is removed and fastened in a similar manner to the left handmanifold M, and the operation duplicated. In this position, drain plug48 enables the test box to be drained of the test solvent liquid in thesame manner as plug 5@ when the test box was inverted.

The novel test box of this invention enables the test of an entire fuelmanifold assembly of a jet engine instead of individual nozzles orclusters of nozzles. The test flow out of the nozzles is readily visibleto the technician who can determine any faulty operation due to cloggingof the nozzles and/ or filters; and at the same time check the characterof the nozzle flow pattern. By witnessing simultaneously the fuel flowfrom all four clusters of the fuel nozzles, a better comparison, onewith the other, can be made to improve evaluation. Capturing the testsolvent in the test box and draining avoids spillage and assures a saferoperation. In addition, the time expended for the test can be greatlydecreased, improving the efficiency of the test operation.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for testing jet engine fuel nozzle spray patternscomprising:

a spray box conforming to the configuration of a fuel manifold assemblyof a jet engine;

detachable means for securing said spray box to the jet engine;

said spray box having an opening for each of the jet engine nozzlesrespectively to be tested to enable test uid discharged from the nozzleto be exhausted into the spray box;

means for draining said spray box of the discharged test duid;

at least a portion of said box being made of transparent material;whereby the test uid flow pattern from each nozzle of the assembly inthe spray box can be observed through said transparent portion.

Z. Apparatus for testing jet engine fuel nozzle spray patternscomprising:

an annular spray box conforming to the configuration of a fuel manifoldassembly of a jet engine; detachable means for securing said spray boxto the jet engine;

said spray box having an opening for each of the jet engine nozzlesrespectively to be tested to enable test fluid discharged from thenozzle to be exhausted into the spray box;

means for draining said spray box of the discharged test uid;

at least a portion of said box being made of transparent material;

d whereby the test iiuid liow pattern from each nozzle of the assemblyin the spray box can be observed during operation through saidtransparent portion.

3. Apparatus for testing jet engine fuel nozzle spray patternscomprising:

a semi-annular spray box conforming to the configuration of a fuelmanifold assembly of a jet engine; detachable means for securing saidspray box to the jet engine; said spray box having an opening for eachof the jet engine nozzles respectively to be tested to enable test fluiddischarged from the nozzle to be exhausted into the spray box; means fordraining said spray box of the discharged test fluid; p at least aportion of said box being made of transparent material; whereby the testfiuid ow pattern from each nozzle of the assembly in the spray box canbe observed during operation through said transparent portion.

Apparatus for testing jet engine fuel nozzle spray patterns comprising:

a semi-annular spray box conforming to the configuration of a fuelmanifold assembly of a jet engine; detachable means for securing saidspray box to the jet engine; said spray box having an opening for eachof the jet engine nozzles respectively to be tested to enable test fluiddischarged from the nozzle to be exhausted into the spray box; means fordraining said spray box of the discharged test fiuid discharged fromsaid jet nozzles, said lastnamed means located at each end of the spraybox; at least one wall portion of said box being made of transparentmaterial; whereby the test fluid flow pattern of each nozzle of theassembly in the spray box can be observed during operation through saidtransparent wall.

5. Apparatus for testing jet engine fuel nozzle spray patternscomprising:

a semi-circular spray box conforming to the Configuration of a fuelmanifold assembly of a jet engine; means for securing said spray box tothe jet engine; said box having a face plate, side walls and a cover;

said face plate having an opening for each of the jet engine nozzlesrespectively to be tested to enable the nozzle to be exhausted into thespray box; means for draining the ends of the spray box of the test uiddischarged from said jet nozzles; said cover and side walls of said boxbeing made of transparent material; whereby the test uid flow pattern ofeach nozzle of the assembly in the spray box can be observed duringoperation through said box.

References Cited by the Examiner FORElGN PATENTS l 1/ 1958 France.

4/1961 Germany.

1. APPARATUS FOR TESTING JET ENGINE FUEL NOZZLE SPRAY PATTERNSCOMPRISING: A SPRAY BOX CONFORMING TO THE CONFIGURATION OF A FUELMANIFOLD ASSEMBLY OF A JET ENGINE; DETACHABLE MEANS FOR SECURING SAIDSPRAY BOX TO THE JET ENGINE; SAID SPRAY HAVING AN OPENING FOR EACH OFTHE JET ENGINE ZONES RESPECTIVELY TO BE TESTED TO ENABLE TEST FLUIDDISCHARGED FROM THE NOZZLE TO BE EXHAUSTED INTO THE SPRAY BOX;